How to Host Your Own Teamspeak

By Julian Vargas

Stopping in the midst of a virtual firefight to agonize over comma splices is a good way to get your virtual avatar killed. A crucial element in successfully playing within a team is to have voice communications. Not all online games offer built-in voice communications, so it is a good idea to have your own server set up so you and your friends can keep your battle plan in action.

Things You'll Need

TeamSpeak Server Software

Internet Connection

Step 1

Point your favorite Internet browser to www.teamspeak.com and click on downloads at the top of the page. Download the Teamspeak server software and install it.

Step 2

Run the server software once installation has completed. You will be presented with a screen displaying your administrator and super administrator passwords. Copy these down, then close the window.

Step 3

You will note that a new icon has appeared in your taskbar. Right-click that icon and select "Administration." Your browser will open a web page called TeamSpeak Server-Administration. You will be asked to log in. Enter your username as "superadmin" and type in the super administrator password that you copied down.

Step 4

Click "SuperAdmin manager" on the left of the screen and then click on "Add Client." Enter in whatever username you wish, followed by a password that you can remember.

Step 5

Click on "SuperAdmin Manager" again. You will see your newly created superadmin in the list. Delete the generic "superadmin" entry. You will be logged out of the site once you have done so.

Step 6

Right click on the Server icon in the taskbar again, and select Administration. Log in with your newly created login information. Click on "Servers" on the left hand side of the screen. You will see a single server listed. Click on "Select," followed by "User Manager."

Step 7

Click "Add Client," check the box marked "Server Admin," and enter a new set of login information. This information will be used whenever you access your server. Once added, click on "User Manager" again and delete the generic entry of "Admin."

Step 8

Click "Server Settings" on the left-hand side of the screen. Enter a name for your TeamSpeak Server, as well as a password. You may also change the welcome message that is displayed to each user when they log in to your server. By default, the maximum user limit is set to 16 simultaneous users, but you may elect to chenge this. To do so, simply enter a different number in that field.

Step 9

Uncheck any boxes next to codecs (different data encoding methods that alter how voice is transmitted over the Internet) you do not want utilized on your server. The effectiveness of particular codecs will depend on your system needs. If you are not sure about which codecs, if any, to prohibit, leave them all checked. Click the drop down menu next to "Server Type" and set your server to either "Clan Server" or "Public Server." A clan server displays all users logged in, in all channels, to a new user. A public server only displays users logged into the new users current channel. Do not change any other settings unless you have a specific reason to do so.